ONSLAUGHT to Be Inducted into the ‘Metal Hall Of Fame’ at Deathfest Maryland 2022

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 19, 2022
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British Thrash Metal pioneers ONSLAUGHT will be Inducted into the 2022 Metal Hall of Fame, during their on-stage performance at Maryland Deathfest, May 28, 2022.

“We are excited to Induct British thrash metal pioneers Onslaught into the 2022 Metal Hall of Fame during their performance on stage at Deathfest Maryland,” says Metal Hall of Fame President/CEO Pat Gesualdo. “Thrash Metal is a crucial part of the entire spectrum of Heavy Metal, and also a huge foundation for the Metal Hall of Fame. We are very proud to have Onslaught represent this genre that we all love so much.”

Nige Rockett – Onslaught guitarist / founding member comments:

Nige Rockett – Onslaught guitarist / founding member comments:
“Wow, What can we say, this has come completely out of the blue…!
We are truly honoured to receive this extremely prestigious recognition and join a list of so many awesome and respected names from the world of metal music.
This has to be right up there with the best of accolades that this band has ever received in our in our long and illustrious career, it’s a great day for ‘Thrash Metal’ and a great day for the ‘UK Metal scene’.
This award could not have arrived at a more perfect time as we celebrate ’40 years of raising hell’, it really is a true validation of ‘Onslaught’ past and present..
This one is for the fans..!
Thank you all.!”
Nige, Jeff, Wayne, James, Dave

Now celebrating their 40th year U.K Thrash legends ‘Onslaught ’are one of the most ferocious, explosive and controversial Metal bands ever to come out of the UK. Releasing 3 now legendary albums in the 80’s (Power From Hell / The Force / In Search of Sanity) the band marked its path to become a major influence for many metal generations to follow.

Since reforming in 2005 the band have performed countless shows in no less than 70 different countries across the globe, earning themselves the reputation as one of the very best Live Acts in the metal scene today. ‘Onslaught ’also have the enviable kudos of being the first International thrash band to perform in ‘Vietnam ’and the ‘Lebanon’ respectively.

5 critically acclaimed albums were released between 2007 & 2015 – Killing Peace / Live Damnation / Sounds of Violence / VI / Live at the Slaughterhouse – with millions of streams between them. ‘Onslaught ’ have taken their sound to a whole new level of brutality with the release of the latest opus ‘Generation Antichrist’ in August 2020. The album charted successfully in the USA, the UK, Europe and Asia.
Produced by Grammy award winning Engineer ‘Daniel Bergstrand’ (Meshuggah / In Flames / Behemoth) Generation Antichrist gathered huge international acclaim, with many renowned rock and metal pundits declaring it the album of the year.

About the Metal Hall of Fame

The Metal Hall of Fame is a volunteer non-profit organization that enshrines forever, those Legendary musicians, artists, and music industry executives who are responsible for making Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music what it is today. Their contribution to the genre is invaluable, and they keep inspiring fans throughout the world, from generation to generation. The Metal Hall of Fame holds the Annual Metal Hall of Fame Celebrity Gala every January.

The Metal Hall of Fame Voting Process is derived by fans of all genres of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, along with the Metal Hall of Fame voting committee. Fans cast their vote all year round for their favorite artists, bands, producers, and industry executives via the Metal Hall of Fame website at www.metalhalloffame.org.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialmetalhalloffame
Website: https://www.metalhalloffame.org

UK Rockers RXPTRS Share ‘The Frail’ Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 19, 2022
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Bristol, UK-based band RXPTRS – who blend rock, metal, punk, and hardcore with a seamlessness that is enviable, creating something that is unique that seethes with boundless energy – recently announced their forthcoming album Living Without Death’s Permission, out June 24th via Blacklight Media/Metal Blade Records. Pre-order it here: blacklightmediarecords.com/rxptrs. The album will come in two vinyl variants. The EU/UK Exclusive is White/Black Marble while the US Exclusive is Transparent Pink.

Today, RXPTRS, who were tipped by Alternative Press as one of 20 UK bands you need to know, have dropped the new single “The Frail.” Watch / listen here:

“For this video, we wanted to strip everything away to the bare bones,” the band’s singer Simon Roach explains. “The song hits the rawest of nerves with me, so we didn’t want to convolute the message. We wanted to pull back the curtain on the band, and bare it all. We simply set up in our rehearsal studio and invited our friend Charlie Smith in to capture us in our truest form. RS Studio is where the majority of the album was written, it’s our second home, so it just feels right to let everyone in to our world.“

Living Without Death’s Permission track listing:
01. Burning Pages
02. Rock Bottom (Is a Stepping Stone)
03. Dead Awake (Pretty as the Drugs We Take)
04. Demons in My Headphones
05. Collapse
06. Gutterflies
07. The Death Rattle
08. Cold Ground
09. The Frail
10 Let Me Die How I Want

For more info on Living Without Death’s Permission, go here: blacklightmediarecords.com/rxptrs

RXPTRS (pronounced “Raptors”) are a new wave of British rock. The energetic quintet combines ferocious grit with an ear for melody. Built upon the backdrop of the UK, the fiercely creative, long-term friends set out with a sonic mission statement to not succumb to a single barrier, to push boundaries and go beyond the limit of genres, creating a raw sound that is unmistakably their own. Each raucous track is laced with lyrical depth as RXPTRS lay it all on the line. They state, “Music is a vessel, this is how we channel the experiences that have shaped us. This is how we bare our scars.” Quickly becoming renowned for their explosive live performances, the group’s hardcore following continues to grow. Their workhorse mentality towards touring has seen them light up stages across the UK and Europe alongside the likes of Escape the Fate, King 810, As It Is, Light the Torch, and more. RXPTRS‘ visceral energy continues to infect the population as they cut their teeth on the live scene, with no sign of slowing, they’re truly hellbent on showing everyone the way of the RXPTR.

RXPTRS ARE:
Simon Roach – Vocals
Ian Chadderton – Guitar
Harley Watson – Guitar
Sam Leworthy – Bass
Mat Capper – Drums

MUNICIPAL WASTE Spew Molten Thrash With New Single ‘High Speed Steel’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 19, 2022
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Photo Credit: Corey Davenport

Get ready for another taste of the WASTE! Richmond’s hard-charging, thrash metal maniacs MUNICIPAL WASTE have revealed the blistering second single, “High Speed Steel,” from their massively-anticipated 7th studio album, “Electrified Brain,” that’s due out July 1st via Nuclear Blast. 

Commenting on the single, guitarist Ryan Waste says:

“High Speed Steel is our ode to an era when heavy metal was transitioning into a faster form. We pushed the limits of our sound to channel that classic dynamic and keep the intensity high.  It’s about overcoming the pressure and slicing down the odds when everything is stacked against you.”

Watch the lyric video for “High Speed Steel“:

Stream “High Speed Steel“: https://municipalwaste.bfan.link/high-speed-steel
Pre-order “Electrified Brain“: https://www.municipalwaste.net/electrified-brain
Pre-Save “Electrified Brain“: https://municipalwaste.bfan.link/electrified-brain

n case it was missed, stream the upcoming record’s initial single “Grave Dive” here: 
https://municipalwaste.bfan.link/grave-dive

“Electrified Brain” Tracklisting:

01. Electrified Brain
02. Demoralizer
03. Last Crawl
04. Grave Dive
05. The Bite
06. High Speed Steel
07. Thermonuclear Protection
08. Blood Vessel – Boat Jail
09. Crank The Heat
10. Restless and Wicked
11. Ten Cent Beer Night
12. Barreled Rage
13. Putting On Errors
14. Paranormal Janitor

MUNICIPAL WASTE will be on the road in support of “Electrified Brain” all summer and fall in North America and Europe including tours with AT THE GATES and ANTHRAX.
Purchase tickets here: https://www.municipalwaste.net/tour

North America 2022

w/EXODUS, VOIVOD, INTEGRITY, EXTINCTION A.D., BEWITCHER
June 18 – Liverpool, NY – Pure Filth Festival @ Sharkey’s Bar & Grill

w/INTEGRITY, BEWITCHER
June 19 – Garwood, NJ – Crossroads
June 21 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
June 22 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Cafe

June 23 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest (7:30PM @ Generac Power Stage)

w/INTEGRITY, BEWITCHER
June 24 – Columbus, OH – Skullys Music Diner

w/AT THE GATES, THROWN INTO EXILE
Aug 17 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre
Aug 18 – Pomona, CA – The Glass House
Aug 19 – Berkeley, CA – The UC Theatre
w/AT THE GATES, ENFORCED
Aug 22 – Englewood, CO – Gothic Theatre
Aug 23 – Lawrence, KS – The Granada
Aug 24 – Chicago, IL – Concord Music Hall
Aug 25 – Toronto, ON – The Danforth Music Hall
Aug 26 – Montreal, QC – Theatre Corona

w/ANTHRAX, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, HATEBREED, AT THE GATES, ENFORCED
Aug 27 – Worcester, MA – Tattoo The Earth Festival @ Palladium

w/AT THE GATES, ENFORCED
Aug 28 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
Aug 29 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
Aug 30 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza

Sep 8 – Cave-In-Rock, IL – Full Terror Assault 2022
Sep 10 – Alton, VA – Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2022

Europe 2022 (w/ ANTHRAX)
Sep 27 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Academy
Sep 29 – Manchester, UK – Manchester Academy
Sep 30 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy
Oct 1 – Newcastle, UK – O2 City Hall
Oct 3 – Leeds, UK – O2 Academy
Oct 4 – Nottingham, UK – Rock City
Oct 6 – Bristol, UK – O2 Academy
Oct 8 – London, UK – Brixton Academy
Oct 10 – Brussels, BE – Ancienne Belgique
Oct 11 – Tilburg, NL – Poppodium 013
Oct 13 – Paris, FR – Bataclan
Oct 14 – Oberhausen, DE – Turbinenhalle
Oct 15 – Leipzig, DE – Werk 2
Oct 17 – Copenhagen, DK – Vega Main Hall
Oct 18 – Göteborg, SE – Restaurang Trägårn
Oct 19 – Stockholm, SE – Annexet
Oct 21 – Oulu, FI – Tapahtumakeskus Tullisali
Oct 22 – Turku, FI – Logomo Kitchen
Oct 23 – Tallinn, EE – Tallinna Kultuurikatel
Oct 25 – Warsaw, PL – Klub Stodola
Oct 26 – Frankfurt, DE – Batschapp
Oct 27 – Stuttgart, DE – LKA Longhorn
Oct 29 – Brno, CZ – Sono Centrum
Oct 31 – Budapest, HU – Babra Negra
Nov 1 – Zagreb, HR – Culture Factory
Nov 2 – Vienna, AT – Arena
Nov 4 – Milan, IT – Alcatraz
Nov 5 – Zurich, CH – Komplex 457

TOBIAS SAMMET´s AVANTASIA Release New Single ‘The Wicked Rule The Night’ Feat. Ralf Scheepers

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 19, 2022
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Credits: Kevin Nixon

“You Know We’ll Return Once Again / You Can Turn The Page / The Image Will Remain / We’re In Your Dreams” (The Wicked Rule The Night – AVANTASIA)

Today is an exciting day as TOBIAS SAMMET’S AVANTASIA herald a new age in the fantastic, ever-expanding universe of AVANTASIA with “The Wicked Rule The Night“.

After almost three years of hibernation, mastermind Tobias Sammet and his outstanding all-star formation inspire us with an epic full-throttle track, in which the master himself presents his absolute world-class vocal form alongside guest vocalist Ralf Scheepers. 

The song, which gives a first impression of the ninth AVANTASIA album “A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society” to be released in autumn, comes with a lavishly animated lyric video, for which Costin Chioreanu is responsible.

Listen To “The Wicked Rule The Night“: https://avantasia.bfan.link/the-wicked-rule-the-night

Tobias Sammet about “The Wicked Rule The Night“:

“I’m so happy with the upcoming album that you could put out any song as the first single. But somehow, after the last two years, I felt the need to go full steam ahead as soon as I’m let off the leash. And honestly, it’s also cool to know that many would probably have expected a less extreme track to accompany AVANTASIA‘s re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere. But AVANTASIA is not stylistically fixed, anything goes, commercial, epic, grotesque or full on the bell, doesn’t matter: All that is part of AVANTASIA‘s very own world. We have found our own pigeonhole and different laws apply there. The fans of the first hour know that. And so I have the feeling that “The Wicked Rule The Night” is unpredictable, exciting, fresh and new, despite my trademarks, as you know them partly from AVANTASIA or also EDGUY. Playing it safe is a lot of hogwash. 

On “The Wicked Rule The Night” you can hear:
Tobias Sammet | vocals, keyboards, bass
Sascha Paeth | guitar
Felix Bohnke | drums
Ralf Scheepers | vocals

AVANTASIA live

24.06. ES Cartagena – Rock Imperium Festival 
08.07. FI Tampere – Sauna Open Air 
09.07. FI Oulu – Rock in the City 
11.07. NO Oslo – Sentrum Scene 
13.07. SE Gävle – Gefle Metal Festival 
21.07. DE Fulda – Domplatz 
23.07. CH Pratteln – Z7 Summer Nights 
03.08. DE Wacken – Wacken Open Air 
04.08. DE Ludwigsburg – KSK Music Open 
19.08. CZ Moravsky Krumlov – Rock Castle 
26.08. DE Coburg – Schlossplatz 
03.09. DE Gelsenkirchen – Nine Lives Open Air Festival 

DREAM THEATER’s James LaBrie Aiming to Tour Solo May 2023 in Exclusive Cathedral & Small Castle Settings

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 19, 2022
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Photo by Rayon Richards

Jimmy Kay and Allan Dixon from The Metal Voice spoke to Dream Theater singer James LaBrie who is releasing his new solo album  ‘Beautiful Shade of Grey‘ on May 20, 2022 via InsideOut Music. Watch the full interview below.

When asked about the significance of the title on the new album
“The significance of the title is the human condition, so a lot of my lyrics are dealing with what it means to grow up, to exist and to operate as a human being. I have always said we are a fascinating entity. The construction of us, the complexity of us, it is a  beautiful creation. But at the same time why I brought in Shade of Grey because there always seems to be a certain level of sadness that we always carry around with us. To know that we don’t know what happens when the lights go out is something that we contend with and everyone on this planet thinks about from time to time. So I wanted to talk about that, the ups and downs, the challenges, the victories, the tribulations and all that .”

When asked if he will tour with his solo band
“I’m hoping to take this incredible line up out on the road next May. Promoters are already ringing my bell and we are talking about trying to get out and do some live shows in May of 2023. Dream Theater can be out at least a year from now, so I am finding out from management if there is going to be a window of opportunity in May 2023 so that I can get out and do two three weeks, maybe in Europe. Then find out when the next window is and maybe do three weeks in North America, in select cities. What they are trying to schedule for me in Europe right now for next May is that they want to put me in Cathedrals, Churches and small castles. I told them I want it to be intimate so I said 500 people, maybe 1000 at the most and so that it is just going to be a really exclusive experience for the fans and to retain that acoustic notion that we have been doing since the beginning of this album. “

When asked about the Dream Theater winning a Grammy
“That was ridiculous, I guess a third time is a charm. The fact that we won was an amazing feeling, we were all just absolutely thrilled.”

HOWLAND HYATT – feat. Stet Howland (Metal Church) – Release Full Length Debut Album “H2”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 19, 2022
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Following the release of their last two incredible hard rock singles “Eve of Destruction” and cover of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, iconic powerhouse drummer Stet Howland, (current drummer of Metal Church & formerly of WASP), along with long-time friend John Hyatt and crew release a brand new full-length debut album with their killer new rock band HOWLAND HYATT.

HOWLAND HYATT’s debut album H2 was released worldwide on May 13th, 2022 on all major music platforms through the newly formed Mindsnap Music record label, distributed by Von Artists, Ltd. (via The Orchard).

H2 can be streamed/downloaded at: https://orcd.co/howland-hyatt-debut-album

Watch their new music video for their song “Wrapped in Chains”, available on their self-titled album, here:

Llive show dates and tours will follow to promote the new release, so please keep up with HOWLAND HYATT on all socials & website: https://howlandhyatt.com/ or www.Facebook.com/howland.hyatt

“We’re super excited to finally release this new bad boy of a record. When friends get together to simply have fun and make music, sometimes magic just happens. That’s what this entire album is all about. We hope you guys dig it as much as we do! Special shout out & thanks to Opus from Mindsnap Music & the metal band Dead By Wednesday, for not only believing in us & our new record but for helping put this out through his kick ass new indie label Mindsnap Music. We are proud to be a part of the team!” – says Stet Howland (Drummer Howland Hyatt / Metal Church).

Mindsnap Music has recently put out music from the likes of Bomber Alley, Dead By Wednesday, Joetown, Soldiers of Solace, Joey Concepcion, and Opus (solo acoustic), with more new music coming!

“While most might agree that little good came from our recent lockdown, my bandmate Johnny Hyatt and I have an uplifting tale to the contrary. We used that time to pool our resources to record some music that suited our personal tastes. We had absolutely no expectations, catered to no genre and simply recorded songs. Our final product is an eclectic collection. We feel we pretty much turned friendship into music (if that’s possible). We figured instead of letting our recording studios sit unused, we would invite some friends over and hit the record button. Today we are thankful to announce that we will be releasing this 10 song collection as ‘Howland Hyatt’ via Mindsnap Music. Words can’t express how excited we are to be associated with these top companies [Von Artists; The Orchard/Sony] and staff. None of this would have happened had I not reached out to my bestie ‘Opus’ (Christian F Lawrence) for his opinion on whether we should shop this stuff or just release it ourselves. His confident response was ‘I got you, bro‘. I know exactly what to do, trust me.’ So knowing this man’s reputation, I trusted him. And sure enough, in a matter of days he single-handedly pulled all of this together. I speak proudly on behalf of Johnny, Livio, Jerome, Michael and myself when I say ‘Thank you all.’ We look forward to seeing you on the road,” adds Stet.

“Eve Of Destruction” Official Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY3O1qnjDKU
“Eve of Destruction” can be found here: https://orcd.co/np31n2y-howland-hyatt-the-eve-of-destruction
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” cover song can be found here: https://orcd.co/mox57l-howland-hyatt-while-my-guitar-gently-weeps